CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT Dear shareholders, Underlying profit attributable to shareholders decreased by HK$373 million from HK$4,513 million in the first half The first six months of 2022 were challenging, with the of 2021 to HK$4,140 million in the first half of 2022, continuing impact of COVID-19 on our business. However, primarily due to the reduction in profit from the sale of 2022 is also proving to be a year of exciting expansion car parking spaces at the Taikoo Shing residential for Swire Properties. We have focused on realising development in Hong Kong. opportunities from the HK$100 billion investment plan which we announced in March. We declared a first interim dividend for 2022 of HK$0.32 per share. This represents an increase of 3% from the first 2022 is a significant year, as we celebrate our 50th interim dividend paid in 2021. The first interim dividend anniversary under the banner of “ORIGINAL. ALWAYS.”. for 2022 will be paid on Thursday, 6th October 2022 to This year is a celebration of our people, our commitment shareholders registered at the close of business on the to creativity, the communities which we serve and the record date, being Friday, 9th September 2022. Shares of places which we have helped to transform. the Company will be traded ex-dividend from Reflecting on our history, to the period when Swire first Wednesday, 7th September 2022. set down roots in Quarry Bay with the Taikoo Dockyard Our policy is to deliver sustainable growth in dividends and the Taikoo Sugar Refinery, it gives me great pride to and to pay out approximately half of our underlying profit see how far we have come in establishing Taikoo Place as in ordinary dividends over time. a global business district. And our vision continues. Our investment pipeline represents an ambitious growth plan for Swire Properties in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland Strategic Placemaking Masterplan and South East Asia. We have allocated HK$30 billion of our HK$100 billion This year we also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the investment fund to Hong Kong, specifically to continue to establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative build out our investments in Taikoo Place and Pacific Region. Hong Kong is our home city, and we remain fully Place. I am pleased to report that we continue to make committed to supporting the city in maintaining its global good progress with the redevelopment of Taikoo Place, competitiveness. With the expansion of our business and with our newest Grade A office tower, Two Taikoo Place, planned future investments, we are keen to play our part set to be completed later this year. in reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Whilst the overall office market has remained soft due to the effects of COVID-19, there has been a trend for prospective tenants to upgrade their premises and Profits and Sustained prioritise sustainability and wellness. Taikoo Place, Dividend Growth particularly with the two newest office towers, One Taikoo Place and Two Taikoo Place, is well-positioned to Our reported profit attributable to shareholders in the benefit from this flight-to-quality. Our focus on designing first half of 2022 was HK$4,319 million, compared with advanced, flexible spaces integrated with top-tier HK$1,984 million in the first half of 2021. amenities and green features has put Taikoo Place firmly on the map as a premium business address. 9
2022 Interim Report | EN Page 10 Page 12